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Opinion

13 August, 2017 11:06:26 AM

His ideals are still relevant in the present turbulent world

The country of his dream is now under the shadow of medieval obscurantism replacing the forward looking ideals of the Father of the Nation

Abdul Gaffar Choudhury

Every year in the month of August we pay tribute to the memory of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. This year also we are going to observe the day of mourning and remembrance just day after tomorrow, on 15 August, Tuesday. 42 years have passed after his death. The world has changed. In the process of globalization society and politics have also changed. The camp of socialism is no more existent and the aggressive capitalism in the name of globalization has so far dominated the whole world; but it is also now gradually losing its power and dominance. Though this might be an exaggeration, some people observe that the leader of global Capitalism- America, is now in its death throes. America's most unpredictable and egoistic president, Donald Trump, now seems to be losing grips on his administration and generals have now started to grab power in the White House very silently. There is already speculation that there is a silent preparation for a military takeover of the administration if Donald Trump does not toe the line of the establishment. The largest secular democratic country in the world, India is now facing the rise of aggressive fundamentalism. Once the country has helped Bangladesh to come into existence with secular foundation and Sheikh Mujib was the founding father of that country. Bangladesh and India became friends of each other. Though the friendship still exists, the situation has now changed. One of the founding stones of Bangladesh laid in the constitution by the Father of the nation has lost its place. Lassiez-faire has replaced mixed economy which was devised to prevent the rise of ugly new rich class. With the death of Sheikh Mujib that policy has also been abandoned. With the rise of Al-Qaeda and IS in the Middle-east and their domination in Pakistan and Afghanistan, Bangladesh is also now under a new threat from Jihadists. A lone ranger in Bangladesh politics, Sheikh Hasina is trying her utmost to stop the tidal wave of that fanaticism.

We still observe the death anniversary of the Father of the Nation, but a few pundits argue that in this changed world, Sheikh Mujib's policy and ideals are not anymore practicable for Bangladesh to cope with the rapidly changing world situation. The government of his daughter has already accepted the reality of the change of the world and amended the policy of her government. But the question is, a political party or a government can change its policy for its survival but can it abandon the fundamentals of their party or the government? Sheikh Mujib did not establish a country but created or recreated a nation on some very permanent ideals-these ideals are secularism and democracy. He fought his whole life for these two ideals and sacrificed himself to keep Bangladesh secular and democratic.

The country of his dream is now under the shadow of medieval obscurantism replacing the forward looking ideals of the Father of the Nation. It is like present day Turkey and Egypt. In both the countries Kemal and Nasser established free nationhood with the ideals of secularism. But the rise of fundamentalism in both the countries has taken them into the darkness of the past abandoning the two leader's forward looking ideals. Still the patriotic people of Turkey and Egypt are fighting for the revival of the ideals of the two leaders.

Likewise, Bangladesh is also fighting to revive the ideals of Mujib. It is true that his political policies and programmes that was relevant four decades ago might need to be modified but his ideals cannot be changed, because these are not only ideals, but they are the very foundation of Bangladesh as a modern developing country. We still need Sheikh Mujib’s ideals to guide us and save the country from the present catastrophe. Of course his party is now in power and trying their utmost to protect the democratic structure of the country. They may change some political programs and policies of the Mujib era to cope with the changes in the world situation but they cannot move away from his ideals because still the ideals ofsecularism and democracy are the lighthouse in the present turbulent world.

In 1947, the British Raj with their ulterior motive divided India on the basis of religion and created two nations-Indians and Pakistanis, ignoring their cultural, social and economic differences. This communal division destroyed communal harmony in the subcontinent and inflamed communal hatred throughout the subcontinent. This unnatural division of India also created Kashmir problems and that problem has kept alive 60 year's old vicious war between India and Pakistan, like the 100 years’ war in ancient England. Nobody knows how long this war will continue.

The rise of the leadership of Sheikh Mujib in the subcontinent not only destroyed the hateful religious nationhood but ushered a new era for the subcontinent by establishing a secular and democratic state. This also paved the way to solve the Kasnmir problem. The secular national leader of Kashmir, Sheikh Abdullah was released from the Indian prison, became the Chief Minister of the state again and there was hope for a negotiated settlement soon to be started and Sheikh Mujib called for establishing a commonwealth of the peninsula. It was before European Union. There was a possibility of a rising Asian Union on the basis of mutual friendship and cooperation. With the backing of America's CIA's conspiracy the defeated reactionary forces of Bangladesh succeeded to kill Sheikh Mujib and destroy his ideals. After his death, a South-Asian organization (SAARC) was established but this remains a chattering club, without any friendship and cooperation among the member nations. Now it has almost lost its existence.

If in the face of crisis after crisis of globalization if Bangladesh and in the greater sense South-east Asia wants to keep their independent existences and continue their socio political development and democratic advancement, then they should go back to the ideals of Gandhi, Nehru and Sheikh Mujib. The killers killed Mujib four decades ago but they could not kill his ideals. Like the proverbial phoenix he rose from his ashes and took the leadership against fascism and fundamentalism. He is considered now, not only a leader of Bangladesh but a leader of the entire South-east Asia.

His statue has now been established not only in the developed countries of Europe, but also in the heart of London. In London's tourist guide the place is listed as a place of tourist attraction and every Saturday and Sunday of the week, hundreds of foreign tourists visit this statue to pay their respect. After visiting the statue one African diplomat said that Sheikh Mujib is the Nelson Mandela of Asia. Just after one day on 15th August the Bengalis all over the world will remember him, may be a new generation of them will prepare themselves to follow his ideals and fight for it. In the darkness of present despair in Bangladesh and elsewhere this expectation is our only hope and prayer.

London, 10 August Thursday, 2017

His ideals are still relevant in the present turbulent world

The country of his dream is now under the shadow of medieval obscurantism replacing the forward looking ideals of the Father of the Nation

Abdul Gaffar Choudhury

Every year in the month of August we pay tribute to the memory of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. This year also we are going to observe the day of mourning and remembrance just day after tomorrow, on 15 August, Tuesday. 42 years have passed after his death. The world has changed. In the process of globalization society and politics have also changed. The camp of socialism is no more existent and the aggressive capitalism in the name of globalization has so far dominated the whole world; but it is also now gradually losing its power and dominance. Though this might be an exaggeration, some people observe that the leader of global Capitalism- America, is now in its death throes. Americas most unpredictable and egoistic president, Donald Trump, now seems to be losing grips on his administration and generals have now started to grab power in the White House very silently. There is already speculation that there is a silent preparation for a military takeover of the administration if Donald Trump does not toe the line of the establishment. The largest secular democratic country in the world, India is now facing the rise of aggressive fundamentalism. Once the country has helped Bangladesh to come into existence with secular foundation and Sheikh Mujib was the founding father of that country. Bangladesh and India became friends of each other. Though the friendship still exists, the situation has now changed. One of the founding stones of Bangladesh laid in the constitution by the Father of the nation has lost its place. Lassiez-faire has replaced mixed economy which was devised to prevent the rise of ugly new rich class. With the death of Sheikh Mujib that policy has also been abandoned. With the rise of Al-Qaeda and IS in the Middle-east and their domination in Pakistan and Afghanistan, Bangladesh is also now under a new threat from Jihadists. A lone ranger in Bangladesh politics, Sheikh Hasina is trying her utmost to stop the tidal wave of that fanaticism.
We still observe the death anniversary of the Father of the Nation, but a few pundits argue that in this changed world, Sheikh Mujibs policy and ideals are not anymore practicable for Bangladesh to cope with the rapidly changing world situation. The government of his daughter has already accepted the reality of the change of the world and amended the policy of her government. But the question is, a political party or a government can change its policy for its survival but can it abandon the fundamentals of their party or the government? Sheikh Mujib did not establish a country but created or recreated a nation on some very permanent ideals-these ideals are secularism and democracy. He fought his whole life for these two ideals and sacrificed himself to keep Bangladesh secular and democratic.
The country of his dream is now under the shadow of medieval obscurantism replacing the forward looking ideals of the Father of the Nation. It is like present day Turkey and Egypt. In both the countries Kemal and Nasser established free nationhood with the ideals of secularism. But the rise of fundamentalism in both the countries has taken them into the darkness of the past abandoning the two leaders forward looking ideals. Still the patriotic people of Turkey and Egypt are fighting for the revival of the ideals of the two leaders.
Likewise, Bangladesh is also fighting to revive the ideals of Mujib. It is true that his political policies and programmes that was relevant four decades ago might need to be modified but his ideals cannot be changed, because these are not only ideals, but they are the very foundation of Bangladesh as a modern developing country. We still need Sheikh Mujibs ideals to guide us and save the country from the present catastrophe. Of course his party is now in power and trying their utmost to protect the democratic structure of the country. They may change some political programs and policies of the Mujib era to cope with the changes in the world situation but they cannot move away from his ideals because still the ideals ofsecularism and democracy are the lighthouse in the present turbulent world.
In 1947, the British Raj with their ulterior motive divided India on the basis of religion and created two nations-Indians and Pakistanis, ignoring their cultural, social and economic differences. This communal division destroyed communal harmony in the subcontinent and inflamed communal hatred throughout the subcontinent. This unnatural division of India also created Kashmir problems and that problem has kept alive 60 years old vicious war between India and Pakistan, like the 100 years war in ancient England. Nobody knows how long this war will continue.
The rise of the leadership of Sheikh Mujib in the subcontinent not only destroyed the hateful religious nationhood but ushered a new era for the subcontinent by establishing a secular and democratic state. This also paved the way to solve the Kasnmir problem. The secular national leader of Kashmir, Sheikh Abdullah was released from the Indian prison, became the Chief Minister of the state again and there was hope for a negotiated settlement soon to be started and Sheikh Mujib called for establishing a commonwealth of the peninsula. It was before European Union. There was a possibility of a rising Asian Union on the basis of mutual friendship and cooperation. With the backing of Americas CIAs conspiracy the defeated reactionary forces of Bangladesh succeeded to kill Sheikh Mujib and destroy his ideals. After his death, a South-Asian organization (SAARC) was established but this remains a chattering club, without any friendship and cooperation among the member nations. Now it has almost lost its existence.
If in the face of crisis after crisis of globalization if Bangladesh and in the greater sense South-east Asia wants to keep their independent existences and continue their socio political development and democratic advancement, then they should go back to the ideals of Gandhi, Nehru and Sheikh Mujib. The killers killed Mujib four decades ago but they could not kill his ideals. Like the proverbial phoenix he rose from his ashes and took the leadership against fascism and fundamentalism. He is considered now, not only a leader of Bangladesh but a leader of the entire South-east Asia.
His statue has now been established not only in the developed countries of Europe, but also in the heart of London. In Londons tourist guide the place is listed as a place of tourist attraction and every Saturday and Sunday of the week, hundreds of foreign tourists visit this statue to pay their respect. After visiting the statue one African diplomat said that Sheikh Mujib is the Nelson Mandela of Asia. Just after one day on 15th August the Bengalis all over the world will remember him, may be a new generation of them will prepare themselves to follow his ideals and fight for it. In the darkness of present despair in Bangladesh and elsewhere this expectation is our only hope and prayer.
London, 10 August Thursday, 2017

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